Furnace-retort



May 8, 1923;

C. E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RETOHT Filed Aug. 2, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet E NN WNP A TTORNEYS May 8, 1923. 1,454,338

(3. E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RETORT Filed Aug. 2, 11.19 s Sheets-Shet 2 a I INVENTOR ATTORNEYS May 8, 1923.

C. E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RETOR'I' 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 2, 1919 NYENTOR 0r MM 4 T TOEWE Y8 May 8, 1923.

C. E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RAETOR'I Filed 2. 1919 s sheets-Swen May 8, 1923.

C. E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RETOR'I File Aug. 2 1919 8 Sheets-$heet h May 8 1923. 1,454,338

c. E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RETORT Filed Aug. 2 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet :WVENTUR 1| T TORNE V8 May 8, 1923. 1,454,338

c E. RICHARDSON FURNACE RETORT Filed Aug. 2, 1919 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented May 8, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DHLRL$ E. RICHARDSON, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, .QSSIGNOB TO INTEBNATIQNAL COAL PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA; A CORPORATION OF VIBGHIIA.

FUBNAGE-RE'IORT.

Application flied August 2, 1919. Serial No. 814,887.

nace-retort construction having a retort into which the coal is fed at one end, wherein the coal is agitated or mixed and conveyed along the retort to the other or discharge end and from which discharge end the partially carbonized residue leaves the retort. The furnaceretort comprehends a construction wherein the retort has a body portion preferably made of metal, and in the form of a longitudinally extending wall or retort shell,

and wherein the furnace is constructed so as to provide a combustion space or spaces on the exterior of the body portion of the retort and is also provided with burners constructed and arranged so as to facilitate a ready and easy control of the heat action on the retort Shell.

The invention is directed to the manner whereby the longitudinally extending inner wall or retort shell is supported in or by the furnace construction, to the manner-in which the furnace is constructed so as to permit a ready and easy assembling and disassemhlin" of the several parts, espeoiall in regurc to the facilitating of the insta ing and mowing of the retort portions, to the construction and'arrangement of certain supports forlocally supporting the retort shell, to the arrangement of the burners with respect to the rest of the furnace-retort construction, and to the flue arrangement within the furnace-retort construction whereby the products of combustion are conducted from the combustion space or spaces.

The invention, according to another aspect thereof is directed to the manner in which a prcheater is brought into association with the retort and particularly whereby t e prebeater i S PP FWl a ove but nt dependently of the furnace'retort structure, thus preventing the latter from being sub ]ected to any strains incident to the operation of the preheater.

The invention has in view the features above reierred to and also others, all of which are illustrated and hereinafter clearly described.

As showing a specific manner in which the invention may be realized reference is made to the accompan ing drawings forming a part of this speci cation and in which draw- 1H s,

*igure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a furnace-retort with a preheater located above but supported independently of it. This figure is a view taken as on the planes indicated by the broken line 11 'of Figures 2, 4 and 5 looking in the direction of the arrows. Within the retort or retort shell there are located two shafts each carrying addles, this construction being clearly in icatcd in Figure 2. In Figure 1 only one shaft and the puddlestherenpon are indicated, to wit, the shaft and'the paddies where the section is taken.

Figure 2 is a vertical and transverse sectional view of the furnace+retort showing the supports for the preheater above it and also some of the piping or flue construction for conducting waste gases from the furnace of the furnace-retort to the preheater. This is a view taken as on the planesindicated by the broken line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fi llB 2 taken in conjunction with Figure l iscloses the manner in which the products of combustion pass from the combustion space or chamber of the furnace-retort to the interior of the preheater.

Figure 3 is a vertical and view of the furnaceretort and prehcater and is a view looking toward the charging end of the furnace-retort. Figures 1, 2 and 3 clearly show the manner in which the preheater is supported above but independently of the furnucc-retort.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the furnace-retort and is a view taken as on the planes indicated by the broken line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows. The n per half of Figure 4 and particularly one side portion thereof shows a burner located in a vertical plane, which is intermediate local supports that are provided for and below the longitudinally extending wall or retort shell, while the lower half of said figure and particularly the central portion thereof shows in section the local support construe tion.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken as on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figures 1, 6 and 7 loolcing in the direction of the arrows and is a view showing the manner in which the products of combustion pass from the combustion space at each side of the furnace to a lon itndinally extending side flue within the wa s of the furnace.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken as on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figures 2, t and 5 loolring in the direction of the arrows. In Figure 6, however, there is shown only that portion of the masonry and supporting structure which is on the exterior of and which is not included in and considered a part of the retort proper. In other words, the retort shell, the members therein, and in fact all parts of the retort proper have been removed. Figure 6 has been inserted )rimarily to show the local supports at one along the bottom of the retort. to indicate the spaces between adjacent local supports where the products of combustion can engage or have access to the bottom or lower exterior portion of the retort shell, and also to show the flue arrangement whereby the products of combustion are conducted from combustion spaces at the sides of the retort shell. through the longitudinallv extending side flue to a vertically extending waste heat flue in a side wall of the furnace-retort construction and which waste heat flue conducts the waste gases or products of combustion from the furnace-retort.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional plan view taken as on the plane indicated by the line 7-7 of Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 looking in the direction of the arrows. In Figure 7 there is particularly indicated in plan the position of the members in the furnaceretort construction which have been provided to give the desired local support for the retort shell and also to permit or take care of the expansion of the retort shell. Figure 7 should be considered in conjunction with Figure 6 as each of these figures shows some phase of the local support more clearly than the other figure, or some phase not brought out in the other figure. As Figure 7 has been included to illustrate certain features of the local support construction many details relating to the paddle carrying shafts have been omitted: neither are the paddles shown. Figures 1 and 4 show that each local support for the retort shell has. a set of I-bcams with a. supporting plate restinq thereupon. which plate is frequently referred to as a bottom supporting plate, has a standard or central supporting member on said plate, has a sec- 0nd or upper supporting plate, similar to that resting upon the set of I-beams but 0ccupying an inverted position, and has a saddle upon the upper supporting plate, which saddle locally carries or locally supports the inner wall or retort shell. There is, however, between each upper supporting plate and its corresponding saddle a layer of flat sheet asbestos and a layer of flat sheet copper for providing both a heat insulating joint and a sliding joint between these two members, to wit, between the upper supporting plate and the saddle. The construction of the members just referred to. to wit. the supporting plates, the standard or central supporting member and their relative positions, is brought out in Figures 9 to 14 inelusive.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken as on the plane indicated by the broken line 8-8 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and is a composite figure illustrnting difl'erent portions of the structure. Portion a of this figure shows in section one set of the I-beams of the local support, which I-beams extend horizontally and transversely. Portion b shows the construction through a bottom supporting plate and a standard or central supporting member thereupon; this portion of the section is the same as if taken on the lines 8-8 of Figures 9 and 10 looking in the direction of the arrows. Portion 0 indicates different types of layers of masonry' designated respectively (1 and e and found between adjacent local supports. The layer d is of any material suitable to provide a foundation or floor structure and layer e is of a material suitable for heat insulating purposes. or in other words serves to insulate the layer d against heat that otherwise would pass to it from the interior of the furnace. Portion f shows the construction through the standard or cen tral supporting member; the masonry desig nated g in this section is of fire brick. Portion h indicates thejoint between the upper supporting plate and saddle thereupon. which joint may be referred to as a heat insulating or break or sliding ioint, according to the aspect or view in which it is considered. Portion 7c shows a part of the combustion space between adiacent saddles, or in other words between the fire brick masonry casings protectinn the saddles. Portion 'm illustrates a. section through the saddle at the charging end of the retort. The opening 11. at the opposite end shows in section the dis charge passageway leading from the retort.

Figures 9 and 10 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views showing the con struction of the local supports for and below the retort shell.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a sup porting plate which serves, when in one po sition, as the bottom supporti plate that rests u on the top of a. set of -beams and upon w ich plate in turn rests the standard or central supporting member previously referred to and shown in Figure In an inverted osition the supporting plate shown in igure 11 rests upon the top of the standard or central supporting member and serves when in said position as the upper supporting plate that carries the saddle.

Figure 12 is a erspective view showing, as previously' indicated, the standard or central supporting member.

Figures 13 and 14- are side and bottom views of the saddle.

Referring now to the drawin in detail the furnaceretort is designate b 1 and there is located above but indepen entl y of it a coal preheater 2'known in the trade as the Ruggles-Cole dryer-which as will hereinafter appear has been employed to perform two functions, that of drying, the cool as we'll as that of preheating the coal so as to introduce the coal into the retort in a dry heated condition. The retort proper is designated by 3 and the furnace roper by 4:. The retort has a longitudinal y extending inner wall or retort shell 5 and has at each end asuitable head, as 6 and 7, the

head 6 being located at what is known as the charging and of the retort and the head 7 at the discharging end thereof. The material to be treated, to wit, such as bituminous coal or other similar carbonaceous material, is delivered from the pro-heater 2 by means of chute S into feeding; means 9 which in the form illustrated is a screwconveyer relied upon to feed the coal to the interior of the retort.

The retort has within the longitudinally extending wall or retort shell a pair of shafts, each designated by 10 and each carrying paddles or blades 11. The shafts are arranged so that the paddles on one shaft overlap the paddles on the other shaft and so that the paddles or blades cooperate to mix or agitate the charge within the retort and to convey the material being treated from the charging and of the retort toward the discharging end thereof. The shafts 10 extend through the heads 6 and 7 and there is provided suitable sealing means. as 12, for preventing the escape of gas from the interior of the retort and for opposing the entrance of air through the spaces between cach head on the one hand and the corresponding end of the shaft on the other to the interior of the retort.

The furnace is constructed so as to cxteriorly heat what may be referred to as the body portion of the longitudinally extending wall or retort shell, to wit particularly the longitudinally extendins bottom and side portions of the retort shell. and the vapors and gases driven oil during this heating are withdrawn by piping 13-leading to a hydraulic main 14 sup 'orted on transversely extending beams 15 at are in turn supported upon longitudinally extending girders or beams 16. The uses, vo ore and tars are subsequently co lected om the hydraulic main by suitable apparatuses well known in the art. The coal when fully treated, viz. when partially carbonized, is delivered from the interior of the retort, through the discharge passageway 11. past a suitable valve or sealing means 18 con structed so as to permit the discharge of the treated material from the retort without permitting the entrance of any substantial amount of air to the interior thereof.

The furnace-retort which is the basis of the present invention is particularly desired for the treating of coal in order to produce a uniformly but partially distilled residue and the heating is carried out while the shafts are being rotated and in a manner whereby this condition of the material is enabled to be realized.

The temperature within the retort usually approximates 850 F. although it will be appreciated that, dependent upon the charactor of the material being treated and the manner in which it is treated within the retort, this temperature can be varied. The longitudinally extending wall or retort shell is preferably made of metal, such as cast material half iron, half steelfrequently referred to as semi-steel-and in order that this retort shell will be properly supported there has been provided a number of spaced local supports 19, which are in fact spaced local supporting members and these local supports are arranged in a series extending longitudinally along the retort in a manner whereby the lower central portion of the longitudinally extending wall or retort shell receives local support in several places. The masonry portion of the furnace provides what may be referred to as a. horizontally, longitudinally and transversel extending floor structure 20 within which the local supports are located, the verticallv and longitudinally extending side walls 2i, the longitudinally extending roof portion 22 and the verticalh and t ansversely extendinp: end walls 23. The longitudinally extending wall or retort shell is also preferably made in effect continuous from the charging cud to the discharging end and the local supports allow for its contraction. due to cooling, as well as for expansion, due to heating. a

in Figures 4 and for example. it will be seen that in the upper portion of each side there is an arched portion 24 and this arched portion mar in some respects be considered as :2 part of the side and in other respects as a part of the roof. The arched portion 24 is therefore sometimes referred to as side roof members, as arched side members or as arched roof members. In the same figures it will also be observed that a combustion space or chamber 25 is provided between the bottom and side portions of the longitudinally extending wall or retort shell on the one hand and between the bottom, side and arched side roof members of the masonry construction on the other. The arched roof members 24 are each preferably constructed so as to have an arched shape casting 26 with an inwardly extending lip at the lower end thereof and with a downwardly extending lip at the upper end thereof whereby the casting 26 can serve as a holder for the brick work in the arched shape section. These holder castings 26 also carry biu'ners 27 whereby ahomogeneous mixture of proportioned gas and air is projected downwardly along the vertically extending inner portions of the side walls 21, thus producing a. flame or zone of burning mixture which may take or have the form indicated by 28 in Figure 4. In other words, the flame or zone of burning mixture follows the inner sides of the masonry but does not directly contact with the metallic longitudinally extending wall or retort shell. It will here he remarked that at the juncture of the longitudinally and transversely extending floor structure 20 and each vertically and longitudinally extending side wall 21 there is a portion having an inner surface which extends downwardly and inwardly. This downwardly and inwardly extending surface portion deflects the burning mixture or products of combustion downwardly and inwardly and facilitates the heating of the under side of the retort. These arch shaped sections that are provided by the several arch shaped holder castings and bricks carried thereby may, as previously indicated, he considered as removable roof sections or removable side wall members located at the tops of the side walls. Each of these sections constitutes a single removable member composed of a number of different units, to wit, a. member composed of the holder casting, the burner carried thereby, and the heat insulating and fire brick held together by the holder casting.

Reference has also been made to the su porting of the longitudinally extending we 1 or retort shell by the local supporting members 19. The supports 19 are separated from each other leaving spaces, as 29, whereby for all exterior lower portions of the tubular inner wall or retort shell, except in the immediate vicinity of the supports 19, the products of combustion will have free access to or will engage the under side of the tubular inner wall or retort shell for the full Width thereof. The spaces 29 are clearly indicated in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6. The gas and air, each of which is respectively consumed and relied upon to support combustion, are preferably forced into the combustion spaces 25 whereby combustion takes place in themanner outlined and the prodnets of combustion fill the entire combustion space within the masonry construction and on the exterior of the retort shell. That portion of the masonry which defines the combustion spaces is of suitable refractory ma terial, such as fire brick (see for example Figure 8, particularly designated by g).

The products, of combustion leave from one end of the combustion spaces, as through openings or passageways 30 (see particu larly Figures 5, 6 and 8) thentravel horizontally and laterally through passageways 31 into longitudinally extending waste gas ducts, fines or assageways 32 that are located in the si e portions of the masonry construction-these flues 32 are sometimes referred to as longitudinally extendin side fines. These flues 32 from one point al view may be considered as located in the floor construction, or from another point of view may be considered as located in the side walls; and it will here be remarked that the vertically extending side walls may be considered as mergingintothe floor structure or the floor structure may be considered as merging into the side walls. Within one of the side walls of the furnace-retort construction there is provided a vertically extending waste gas flue 33 into which one of the lonwi' tudinally extending side fines 32 in effect irectl discharges and into which the other longitudinally extending side flue 32 discharges by means of a transversely extending conduit or passageway 34, clearly shown in Figures 2 and 6.

The particular form of retort shown is in cross-section in the form of a modified B positioned so that the curved portions of the B are at the bottom and so that the straight or back line of the B extends horizontally. This straight or back portion of the B indicates a part of the fiat roof 35 of the retort shell. The roof is of sheet metal rolled plate that is suitably connected to the upright portions of the retort shell, as by welding along the line 36, and this flat roof may also be locally reinforced, as by means of transversely extending angle irons 37. This fiatroof 35 is covered by the masonry roof portion 22, previously referred to, which includes n layer of heat insulating material 38, such as a layer formed of brick of diatonmceous earth or the like. The roof has been made of masonry with this heat insulating material in order to heat insulate the retort from the direct cooling action of the exterior air and in order to maintain a more uniform heat condition Within the retort; or, in other words, to hold the heat within the retort. In order to minimize the loss of heat from the side walls and floor portion of the furnace, layers of heat insulating material are provided, such as v39, in the arched roof side members. 40 in the main portion of the side walls, and 41 in the floor structure. In Figure 8 part of the layer of heat insulating material is indicated by the letter e.

'To permit of inspection along the retort, removable brick members, as 42, are provided, the position of these members being clearly shown in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings.

Reference has heretofore been made to the local supports or supporting members arranged in series along the lower central portion of the lon 'tudinally extending wall or retort shell. he arrangement of these local su ports or supporting members is clearly siown in Figures 1, 6, 7 and 8 and the construction thereof is readily up arent from Figures 1, 4, 8 and 9 to 14 inc usive. From the figures just referred to it will be readily apparent that for each individual support there is provided a set of transversel extending I-beams 43-t-hree I-beams in enc set-resting u on a suitable base or foundation, as 44. T e sets of I-beams of the different local supports are, as previously stated, arranged in series and the series extend longitudinally. In each support and upon the central portion of the set of I- beams therein there is located-a bottom supporting plate or member 4B5 having grooved portions 46 within which there is seated the lower end of a standard or central supporting member 47. A flat top upper supporting plate or member 48, which is the some as the supporting plate or member 45 but inverted, rests upon the standard or central supporting member 47. A flat bottom saddle 49 is carried by but movably-that is slidably-mounted upon the upper supporting plate or member 48.

In the specific construction illustrated the saddle is, as previously indicated, slidably mounted upon the u per supporting plate or member 48. The iding is facilitated by means of what may be considered as a break or slidin joint construct-ion between the saddle an the supporting plate. This sliding joint construction comprises a layer of fiat sheet asbestos that rests upon the upper supporting plate 48 and a layer of flat sheet copper that in turn rests upon the sheet of asbestos. The under side of the saddle is preferably provided with longitudinally and transversely extending grooves 50, although it will be readily appreciated that this grooving while advantageous is not necessary. Because of the inclusion of the layer of as bestos this sliding or break joint construction may also be referred to as a heat insulating joint. The longitudinally extending wall or retort shell may be considered in effect as fixedly secured at the charging end thereof and the break or sliding joints have been provided in order to enable a difierential expansion of the retort shell in refrencejto the masonry construction within which-itis located and with reference to the fixed 6rtion of the local supports upon which the retort shell bears, The longitudinally extendmbuFt e t i tion of each local sup ort whichwou'ld otherwise extend into an be directl within the combustion space or spaces; 11 order that the metal portions of each local support will be cooled or prevented from being-unduly heated, transversely extending open nrched portions indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 7 have been provided in' the masonry construction and this 0 n arch allows the air to contact directly with all pf the members of each local support, with the exception of the saddle and the layers pf fiat material between the upper supporting member and the saddle.

It has heretofore been pointed out how the products of combustion leave the un nace-retor't construction through the vertioally extending side or waste 5 flue 33. In the construction as shown t 'e products of combustion pass from sa'id side or waste gas flue 33 through vertically extending flue portion 52, thence transversely through orizontally extendin flue ortion '53, (chance longitudially tihrough orizontelly extending portion 54 to the interior of the preheater 2, where they are employed for drying and preheating the coal within the prehenter and whereby the coal can be conducted and fed to the retort from the preheater through and by means of chute 8 and feeding means 9 previously described. The preheater has a tubular receptacle or heating drum 55 that revolves when the preheater is functioning.

It will also be noted and particularly from an inspection of Figuresl, 2, and 3 that the prehcater 2 is carried upon longitudinally and substantially horizontally extcnding beams 56 that are in turn supported above and independently of the furnace upon transversely extending beams'57 carried by columns 58. By this construction the likelihood of any detrimental elloct being imparted to the furnace, due to yibra tions on operating the prehcater, is avoided. In other words, the preheater can be brought into association with the furnace-retort without fear of any damage being done to the latter as the result .of operating the prei the retort is reah nally elilwdin heater, while the advantageous results of charging a hot drydcoal to the interior of The furnace-retort which is the subject of the present invention is adaptable for performing theinitial or preliminary heatm' referred to in United tates Patent No. 1,1 7,727 granted April 4, 1916, covering the invention of Charles H. Smith, entitled Process of treating coal, for performing the heating of coal according to the manner outlined in United States Patent No. 1,224,424 granted May 1 1917, covering the invention of Charles Smith, entitled Process of and apparatus for treatin coal;

and for performing the initial dis lotion.

or preliminary carbonization referred to in United States Patent No. 1,276,429 granted August 20, 1918, covering the invention of (Jharles H. Smith entitled Briquet and method of making t e same.

, It will he manlfest from what has preceded that the features of construction can be embodied in various forms and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. A furnace-retort having a longitudiinner wall or retort shell, fiat bottom sa dies 5 need from each other and arranged along 1: e inner wall or retort shell and serving as supports therefor, a

hat top saddle support for each saddle, and

a layer of fiat sheet copper and a la er of fiatsheet asbestos between each sadd e and its support.

2. furnace-retort having a longitudinall extendin inner wall or retort shell, sad es space from each other and arranged alongthe inner wall or retort shell and serving as supports therefor, a saddle support for each saddle, and a layer of egg r and a layer of asbestos between each s 1e and its support.

3. A furnace-retort having a longitudinall extending inner wall or retort shell, sad es spaced from each other and arranged along the inner wall or retort shell and serving as supports therefor, :2. Supporting plate for each saddle, and a layer of copper between each saddle and its supporting plate.

4. A mace-retort having a longitudinall extending inner wall or retort shell, sad lcs spaced from each other and arranged along the inner wall or retort shell and serving as sup orts therefor, a supporting plate for one saddle, and a layer of asbestos between each saddle and its supporting plate.

5. A furnace-retort having a metallic wall or retort shell, and masonry construction providing-a floor structure below but spaced from the retort shell and side walls at each side of the retort shell, said masonry conlongitudinally extending wall or retort shell,

and masonry construction providin a floor structure below but spaced from t e retort shell and a side wall extending along each side, of the retort shell, said masonry construction having therein metal saddles and metal plates, each of which metal plates serves as a support for a corresponding saddle, there being between each saddle and its late a breakoint or sliding joint comprismg flat-faced'copper and flat-faced asbestos arranged so that the flat face of one rests upon a flat face of the other.

7 A furnace-retort having a. substantially continuous metallic longitudinally extending wall or retort shell, and masonry construction providinia floor structure below but space from t e retort shell and side walls extending along the sides of the retort shell, said masonry construction having therein metal saddles and metal plates, each of which metal plates serves as a support for a corresponding saddle and flat sheet ma.- terial between each saddle and its plate.

8. A furnaceretort mounted upon a suitable foundation, which furnace-retort comrises in combination transversely extending I-beams arranged in sets and resting u on the foundation, a bottom supporting p ate upon each set of I-beams, a standard or central supporting member upon each bottom.

supporting plate, a top supporting plate resting upon each standard or central supporting member, a saddle suitably mounted upon each of said to supporting. lates, a longitudinally exten mg retort she I seated upon said saddles, the saddles being spaced from each other, and a masonry construction which provides a floor structure extending along and below the retort shell, and also side walls and side roof members located alon the retort shell whereby there is pro vide between the retort shell and the masonry construction a combustion space, the masonry construction being such that the saddles and so porting members are protected against t e action of the products of combustion.

9. A furnace-retort mounted upon a suit able foundation, which furnace-retort coinprises in combination transversely extending I'beams arranged in sets and resting u on the foundation, a bottom supporting p ate upon each set of I-beams, a standard or upright member upon each bottom supporting plate, a top supporting plate resting upon each standard or upri ht support, the upper surface of each 0 which top sup- ISO orting plates'cxtends horizontally, a sade u on each of said top supporting p ates, a longitudinall extendi retort shell sea-ted upon said set dies, the sa dles being spaced from each other, a masonry construction which provides a floor structure extending along and below the retort shell and also side walls and side roof members located alon the retort shell whereby there is provi ed between the retort shell and the masonry construction a combustion space, the masonry construction bein provided with suitable fines whereby to note of combustion can be conducted rom said combustion s ace, and burners for supplying a mixture 0 gas and air to that portion of the combustion 5 use at each side of and below the retort shell.

10. A furnace-retort having a longitudinally extending retort shell of cast metal with a head at each end of the retort shell, shafts extending through the heads and carrying paddles shaped so as to mix and convey the material along the interior of the inner wall, means for feeding coal into the retort shell at one end thereof, there being a discharge opening or passageway at the other end through which the material is discharged from the retort, saddles spaced from each other and arranged along the retort shell to locally support the lower portion thereof, vertically extending side walls 5 need from the retort shell and extending ong the same, a floor structure which with the side walls provide a combustion space between them aud the retort shell, portions of which space are below and extend the full width of the retort shell, and means for supplying as and air to the upper portions of the com ustion space, there being a longitudinally extending flue located in the lower portion of each of said side walls, one of said side walls also having therein an. opening or essageway at each side through which pro nets of combustion pass from the combustion space to the corresponding longitudinally extending flue, the furnace-retort also having openings or passageways that lead from said longitudinally extending those into a vertically extending fine which is in one of the side walls.

11. A furnace-retort havin a longitudinally extending retort shell raving a cast metal body portion, masonry having a floor structure below the body portion, having side walls extending upwardly from the floor structure and along the body portion, and having an arched side roof member extending upwardly and inwardly from each side wall to sai body portion whereby a combustion space is provided between said body portion on the one hand and the ma sonry on the other. and a heat insulating roof portion extending along the top of the retortshell and from the arched side roof member at one side of the'furnaccmetort to the arched side roof member at the other side, the arched side roof members having castings serving as holders for the masonry portion of the sideroof member and also raving burners carried by the castings for supplying mixtures of gas and air to the combustion space.

12. A furneceu'etort having a longitudinally extending retortshell, masonry construction providing a refractory floor extend'm below and along the retort shell and re 'actory side walls, each of which side walls has at the lower portion thereof a downwardly and inward] extending inner surface portion and at t e upper portion thereof an inwardly extending side roof portion reaching to the retort shell, the construction beino such that a combustion space is provided between the retort shell and said masonry construction, masonry extending from the side roof portion at one side of the furnace-retort to the side roof portion at the other side for heat insulating the top of the retort shell, means for supplying a heating medium to the combustion space, supporting plates with flat horizontally extending to s arranged in spaced relationship below t as retort shell, and a saddle for and movably supported on each plate for locall supporting t e retort shell.

18. A urnace-retort having an inner wall or retort shell, and masonry providing a refractory floor extending below the'inner wall or retort shell and refractory side walls, which side walls have at the lower portions thereof downwardly and inwardly extending inner surface portions and at the upper portions thereof inwardly extending side roof members, the construction being such that a combustion space is provided between the bottom and sides of tie inner wall or retort shell on the one hand and said masonry structure on the other, said furnace retort having means for supplying a heating medium to the combustion space and also having supporting plates with fiat horizontally extending tops and a saddle movably supported on each plate for locally supporting the inner wall construction, the plates and saddles being protected in each set from the heat by a masonry casing and the encased sets being arranged in spaced relationship.

14. A furnace-retort having an inner wall or retort shell, a masonry construction providing a refractory floor below the inner wall or retort shell and also side walls, inwardly extending side roof members, the construction being such that a combustion space is provided between the inner wall or retort shell on the one hand and said masonry construction and said side roof members on the other, and means for supplying a heating medium to the combustion space,

said furnace-retort havin su ort' plates with flat horizontally ext endi ii g td gg thereupon arranged in spaced relationship below the furnace, having a saddle movably mounted-on each plate and serving to locally support the inner wall or retort shell, and also having refractory means extending from the floor to the under side of the inner wall or retort shell and surrounding each saddle.

15. A furnace-retort of the class described comprising supporting plates spaced from each other but arranged in a. row, a saddle on each plate, a longitudinally cxtendin retort shell locally supported by each 0% said saddles, and a masonry construction providing a combustion space between the shell and the masonry construction, which masonry construction has portions surrounding each of said plates and its saddle and extending upwardly to the bottom of the retort shell so as to protect the plates and saddles from the products of combustion,

the masonry construction be' 0 so shaped and positioned that a space is oft between adjacent sets of plates and saddles whereby the products of combustion will have access to a substantial portion of the bottom of the retort shell.

16. A. furnace-retort of the class described comprising saddles arranged in a row, supports for the saddles, esc'u saddle being supported in a manner whereby in functioning it moves relative to its support, a retort shell receiving local support from said saddles, and a masonry construction roviding a combustion space between the s ell and the masonry construction, which masonry construction has portions surrounding each of said saddles and extending to the bottom of the retort shell thus protecting the plates and saddle from the action of the products of combustion, the masonry construction be in such that a space is left between adjacent saddles whereby in the spaces the products of combustion will have access to the bottom of the retort shell.

17. A furnace-retort having a masonry construction providing a door, side walls and end walls, a retort shell extending from end wall to end wall and located in the space between the side walls, and supports for the retort shell, which supports are arranged along the retort shell and are spaced from each other, there being a combustion space between said retort shell on the one hand and said masonry construction on the other, the side walls having at the upper port-ions removable arched side roof sections carrying gas burners.

18. A furnace-retort having masonry providing side walls, and a retort shell located in the space between the side walls, there being a combustion space between said retort shell and said masonry, the side walls hav ing removable side roof sections provided with means for supplying gas and air to the combustion space.

19. A furnace-retort having masonry pro viding side walls and a retort shall extending from end wall to end wall and located in the space between the side walls, there bein a combustion space between said retort shell on the one hand and said masonry construction on the other, the masonry construction having atthe upper portions removable roof sections carrying gas burners.

20. A furnace-retort having a tubular wall or retort shell mounted in a mason construction and extending from an end we to an end wall thereof, said masonry construction having a floor portion and a side walls, from which floor portion there extend supports located along and below the central longitudinal portion of the bottom of the retortshell, said side walls havin at the upper portion thereof arched mom ers comprising outer castings holdingtherein refractory material and serving to bridge the space between each of the side walls and the retort shell whereb there is completed the combustion space w iioh is defined by the retort shell on the one hand and the masonry construction including the arched members on the other, each of said a ched members having burners for supplying a homogeneous mixture of proportioned gas and air to the interior of the combustion space, said masonry construction also having along the lower part of each side a longitudinally extending waste gas duct, which waste as ducts are connected by a horizontally but transversely extending flue, said masonry construction also providing openin s or Jassageways whereby the products 0 combustion can pass from the combustion space to said ducts.

21. A furnace-retort havingan inner wall or retort shell mounted in a masonry construction and extending longitudinally from an end wall to an end wall thereof, said masonry construction also havin a floor portion and side walls, from whic floor portion there upwardly extend supports located along and below the central longitudinal portion of the inner wall or retort shell, said side walls having at the upper portion thereof side roof members comprising holding casting's carrying refractory material, which side roof members bridge the space between each of the side walls and the inner wall or retort shell whereby there is completed the combustion space which is defined by the inner wall or retort shell and the masonry construction, each of said side roof members having a burner for supplying a mixture of gas and air to the interior of the combustion space.

22. In combination, a furnace-retort, a preheater, means providing a waste heat flue that receives products of combustion from the combustion space of the furnace of the furnace-retort and that conducts said products of combustion to the preheater, means for conducting and conveying dryed material from the delivery portion of the preheater to the interior of the retort of the furnace-retort, the furnace-retort having a lon 'tudinally extending inner wall or retort shefi, within which the dryed material is re ceived, means for agitating or mixing the charge in the retort shell and for conveying the charge lon 'tudinally from the charging end to the disc ar ing end, and masonry on the exterior of sai inner wall or retort shell, the retort shell and masonry being constructed so that a combustion space is provided on the exterior of the retort shell and within the masonry, the preheater comprising a tubular receptacle or heatin drum in which the material to be dryed an the products of combustion are received and from which the dryed material is delivered, the construction being such that the tubular receptacle or the drum is supported independent of the furnace-retort structure.

23. In combination a furnace-retort having a longitudinally extending inner wall or retort shell with means for agltating or mixing the charge in the retort and for conveying the charge longitudinally from the charging end to the discharging end of the retort shell, masonry on the exterior of said inner wall or shell, the inner wall and masonry being constructed so that a combustion space is provided on the exterior of the inner wall and within the masonry, a preheater comprising a rotary tubular receptacle or rotary heating drum in which the material to be dryed and the products of combustion are received and from which the dryed materials are delivered, means providing a waste heat flue or fines extending upwardly from the combustion space of the furnace of the furnace-retort to the preheater whereby products of combustion can pass from the combustion space to the tubular receptacle or heating drum, and means for conducting and conveying the dryed material from the delivery portion of the receptacle or drum to the interior of the inner wall or retort shell, the construction being such that the drum is supported above and independent of the furnace-retort structure.

This specification signed this th day of July, A. D. 1919.

CHARLES E. RICHARDSON. 

